Handmade Christmas gift tags

The presents are all wrapped and ready to go under the tree...Christmas day has almost arrived! The only thing missing are the gift tags. This year I decided to embark on a number of craft projects, one of these included making my own gift tags. I decided I didn't want to buy any this year as I had plenty of plain tags I could use and things I could use to embellish them. I wanted a handmade look but something that would coordinate with the gift wrap I had chosen and something that was quick to create.

Using a few simple items in my craft stash I added some Christmas style washi tape to plain white and kraft tags and used a little Happy Christmas stamp and red ink. On a few of the tags I replaced the existing twine with some festive red and white bakers twine. On a few of the white tags I punched a snowflake shape. Hopefully this will give you some inspiration to make your own tags!

After a few weeks of crafting I feel I've really caught the Christmas crafting bug!

Handmade Patchwork Christmas Stocking

A Christmas stocking was something I had when I was younger and was a real tradition. I've been lusting after having one for a few years now so I decided the make one with my new patchwork skills that I taught myself earlier this year. I decided to set myself a bit of a sewing Christmas challenge and make one if I had time. This weekend I've been tied to my sewing machine, determined to make the patchwork stockings in time for Christmas day. This morning I finished one for Mr C and one for myself, I cant tell you how delighted I am with them.

I used a variety of red and white fabrics, ribbon, red ric-rack and big green buttons to create added detail to the top. Both stockings are lined with red gingham fabric and finished off with some pretty decorative stitching at the top.

I'm so excited to fill the stocking up with a few things that I've bought Mr C and start our new Christmas stocking tradition together. I will bring you a 'how to make' post in a week or so. I'm off to chill out before the big day.

Have a very merry Christmas and enjoy the holidays.

Handmade Christmas Cards

Over the past few weeks I've been making my own Christmas cards. I sourced some lovely papers, embellishments and clear stamps to use. I had the chance to use all of my scrap booking and paper crafting supplies to create the cards. I used a scalloped paper punch, circle punch, some gorgeous Christmas stamps from Elle's Studio, buttons tied with red and white bakers twine and some wood veneer snowflakes from Studio Calico and a variety of washi tapes.

 

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

I have to admit it but this year I'm feeling so excited about Christmas. Seeing twinkling Christmas tree lights in windows of homes as I walk home, sampling mulled cider, and hearing Christmas music on the radio has got me into the spirit of things. This year I've decided to make a special effort to rekindle the magic of Christmas.

I hope that the countdown to the big day is full of joy and happiness, a time to enjoy traditions, and a chance to spend quality time with friends and family. I've been inspired even more than normal by doing Journal Your Christmas, a brilliant scrapbooking and journaling e-course run by Shimelle. Thinking about a Christmas manifesto at the start of December has been encouraged on the course. For me one of the core elements of my manifesto was to think about Christmas traditions and my favourite Christmas memories. I decided to try and make this Christmas even more special, by starting new traditions, recapturing old ones and creating new magical memories...

I'm rekindling the magic of making decorations for the home...I finished a Christmas cross stitch pattern from CrossStitcher Issue 244, Christmas 2011. I started this last year but never finished it. Take a look...

It is so pretty I want to make another one! I'm going to put this on display every Christmas to remind myself to take time and make things by hand and to relax.

I'm rekindling the magic of having a stocking...I'm making a stocking for Mr C and one for me too, so that we can recapture the fun of having a stocking. The fabric has been bought and over the next few weeks these fabrics will be turned into stockings, I can't wait to make them and start a new tradition of finding fun presents for our stockings.

I'm rekindling to joy of making and giving handmade Christmas cards...I've set aside time to make cards, which is something I haven't managed to achieve for a few years. I've made around 20 Christmas cards so far and still have quite a few to make! Here is a sneaky peak of what I have been creating...

I'm enjoying getting into the festive spirit listening to carol singers and sampling mulled cider and mulled wine...This weekend we've been getting festive in a local pub with a log fire and lovely Christmas tree, and seeing our friend Jo sing her heart out at a carol concert.

There are plenty more things to look forward to during the run up to Christmas...we need to decorate our home and put up the tree, see friends and sing carols by candlelight.

What are you doing to make it feel like Christmas? Are you making any gifts or decorations?

New Baby Bunting Card

Making my own handmade cards is so satisfying. I find it takes me a bit of time to get inspired so making my own cards is sometimes a challenge. I made this new baby card a month or so ago but haven't shared it with you yet. It took me a while to decide on the patterned paper I was going to use for the bunting. I'm really happy with how the striped pattern looks and how the colours work together.

This card is similar to another bunting baby card I made earlier in the year but I've changed the shape of the bunting, colours used and have used pink and white bakers twine.

I've started making my own Christmas cards this year so I'll update you in a week or so when I've put the finishing touches to them.